DMP started with an intensity that has often been lacking this season, as straight from their own kick the pack pinned Billingham down on their own 22. Billingham were awarded a scrum but DMP, with a set piece that would set the tone for the rest of the match, took this against the head. The ever alert Rigby called his attackers to the blind side and it was Drought who quickly went thru the gears, beating 3 men to go racing over in the corner (0-5).

Another try soon followed, and was perhaps the best try the team have scored all season. Myers and Bearpark took on 2nd and 3rd phase ball, with Ward, Macdonald, Wind and Hayward ruthlessly securing the ball at the break down. Brown, who was dictating play at 10, created the space to send the ball across the entire back line with full back Shepherd joining at just the right time to put in a lovely pass to the returning Parkinson. Showing no signs of fear on his return, he stepped inside and was held up just short. Drought arrived quickly on the scene to pick up and smashed through two defenders. (0-10).

From the resulting kick off, Drought, who had clearly had his breakfast, then caught the ball on his 22 and ploughed through the entire Billingham defence like a hot knife through butter to secure his, and DMPs 3rd score under the posts. Brown converted (0-17).

The game then proceeded into a too and fro in midfield with both sides putting in some massive hits; Ward and Rogers nailing some monster shots, whilst Billingham were also stepping up. The ubiquitous Law secured a turn over, the ball was fed to Delaidriti who jinked past his man before chipping the onrushing defenders to collect his own kick and notch another score and leave Coach Brown eulogising on the side lines. (0-22)

Billingham suddenly woke up and, DMP spend the remainder of the half in their own half but their defending was resolute. Stokell in particular was putting his body on the line and put in 2 brilliant tackles to keep the door shut at half time.

DMP rang the changes, but picked up where they left off. Excellent team play again saw the ball moved to the returning ‘Forest’ Nicol who waltzed home from 40 yards (0-29), and the excellent Delaidriti picked up a loose ball from a DMP penalty to race home under the posts (0 -36). ‘Captain Fantastic’ Myers, then returned the kick off 50 yards up the field. Patterson sniped another 10 yards, and the ball was secured by Wind, popping the ball to Drought who raced down the blind side to score his 4th under the sticks (0-43)

Myers, who produced a real disciplined performance after leaving his penalty magnet at home this week, crossed for another (0-48), and Nicol produced another touch line hugging sprint to finish the game (0-53).

All in all a great performance and fair play to Billingham who never gave up and played a real part in what was a tough physical encounter. On the day our quick finishing and link up play gave us the edge and the conditions, and a fantastic pitch allowed us to play our strong running game.

MOTM. There were some strong candidates. ‘The Mowden Express’, Josh Drought, had a stormer collecting 4 cracking tries and rucking brilliantly throughout, whilst the ‘Mowden Mouth’, Alfie Stokell, defended incredibly and put in some mega shots whilst also finding time for a good chat with both sides, the ref, and the coaches. But it was a moment of individual brilliance combined with some fantastic ball in hand attacking play that meant the award deservedly went to the ‘Hot Stepper’, Isaiah Delaidriti.

Well done Izzy!

Match Report by Tristan Drought